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June 2002
Sunday, June 30, 2002
CUSAT in new global varsities' network
KOCHI: An international network of universities from developing and underdeveloped countries, `Southern Universities Network (SUN)', has been formed to deal with financial challenges faced by the universities from these countries in the area of higher education. Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) will also be represented in the founding-committee of the newly-formed SUN, said CUSAT VC Dr N Unnikrishnan Nair, who returned after taking part in the meeting held in Asmara, the Capital of Eritrea in Africa. The decision to form SUN was taken at the meeting of the universities from 11 countries, which are currently receiving aid from the Dutch Government for higher education. ``The current aid will end on 2003 and we have to look for alternate source of funding for the courses already begun under the Dutch aid sanctioned to us five years back,'' said Nair. According to him, the Network will look at alternate options to fund the higher education in these universities after the Dutch aid comes to an end next year. The SUN comprises 11 universities from countries including Costa Rica, Vietnam, Philippines, South Africa, Eritrea and Nairobi. Nair said there was also a presentation of a new programme which is to replace the current programme by the Dutch programme. There was an indication by a Dutch Government official that in the starting phase only six countries would be identified among which three would be from the sub-Saharan Africa. ``It can be reasonably assumed that one among the remaining three countries would be from Asia. Hence it turns out that India will have to compete with Vietnam and Philippines. The response of the embassies of the Netherlands Government in these countries vis-a-vis their assessment of the local situation, is likely to be a major decisive factor,'' said a CUSAT statement.
Sunday, June 30, 2002
Hawala case: Surya TV refutes CM's statement on raid
Surya TV, a private Malayalam channel, refuted Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony's contention that prior intimation was given to it about the visit of officers of the Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch to its premises in connection with the telecast of a report linking Tourism Minister K V Thomas with the Rs 336-crore hawala scandal. In a petition to President K R Narayanan, Surya TV General Manager C Praveen said an eight-member police party ''barged'' into the channel's Sasthamangalam office, entered the studio room, news department and other rooms, 'ransacked' the cupboards and examined all files and documents. After a 30-minute long search, interrogation continued for two hours. A copy of the petition was also sent to AICC (I) President Sonia Gandhi. He said throughout the search the police party had not followed the procedure prescribed by the code of criminal procedure and had acted in the ''most illegal, atrocious and terrorising manner.'' The search and seizure of documents were not conducted in the presence of two respectable inhabitants of the locality as required by the law. Mr Praveen said the police party took into custody a number important documents and materials and the master cassette of the news item on the alleged involvement of Prof Thomas in the hawala scandal. The seized materials were not listed and registered in inventory and got signed by the witnesses of the search and seizure and countersigned by the search officer. The team also did not give a copy of the list of all the materials seized by them to the occupant of the place searched.
Sunday, June 30, 2002
Surya TV petitions President
Thiruvananthapuram, June 29: Surya TV channel, in the eye of the storm over a report telecast by it based on an allegedly fabricated intelligence report, has claimed that the crime branch had seized important documents and cassettes on the involvement of Tourism Minister K V Thomas in the Rs 336 crore hawala case during the raid on the office Thursday. In a petition submitted to President K R Narayanan, channel general manager C Praveen said the documents were seized without preparing an inventory to destroy it in order to help the Minister. Police did not produce the search warrant as they did not want to leave a record, he alleged. The petition said an eight-member police team barged into the office without prior intimation, entered the studio, news department room and ransacked the news bureau, desk and cubicles of reporters and sub-editors. The crime branch had not followed the criminal procedure code and acted in an illegal, atrocious and terrorizing manner. The police action amounted to absolute violation of law and abuse of powers, the petition said. During the two-hour-long interrogation, the general manager, news editor and employees at the desk were terrorized with unwarranted questions and threats. They were also forced by the police officers to sign some blank papers, the petition claimed, and sought the President’s immediate intervention to prevent harassment of mediapersons to safeguard freedom of the press and democracy. (Agencies)
Sunday, June 30, 2002
Get back to class, says Raghavan
Kochi, June 29: Kerala Minister for Cooperation, M V Raghavan, has appealed to the agitating Kochi Cooperative Medical College students to call off their protest and resume studies. Addressing a press conference here after the executive committee meeting of the Cooperative Academy for Professional Education (CAFE), he said the ongoing strike by the students demanding clinical facilities would affect the very existence of the college. Alleging that some vested interests were behind the agitation, he said there was no justification for the students’ action of blocking the employees of the Indira Gandhi Cooperative Hospital in which a section of the medical college functions. At a time when the college was waiting for the Medical Council of India's (MCI) recognition, the students filing a case in Court and the strike might cause problems, he said. The permanent structure for the college, to come up at nearby Kalamassery, has been caught in a legal tangle between the CAFE and the contractors. The Court verdict was expected in the next week, the Minister said, adding, the meeting had decided to construct a special clinical block adjacent to the site. Tenders would soon be floated for the construction of hostels, he said. The Health Minister would hold a meeting with the General Hospital authorities on July 1 to sort out the students’ complaint that the hospital authorities were not allowing them to use the clinical facilities there, he said. (Agencies)
Saturday, June 29, 2002
SIT notices to Surya TV GM, Chief News Editor
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch on Friday sent notices to Surya TV Chief News Editor and General Manager under section 161 CrPc for recording their statements. However, the notices could not be delivered to them as they were not available in the office. The notices were sent in connection with the case of forgery and conspiracy registered against the channel for telecasting a news report based on an allegedly forged letter attributed to the DGP (Intelligence). The Crime Branch has submitted a detailed report in connection with the case before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court here. It has also made a plea before the court to issue directions to the channel authorities for producing the relevant documents. VS FLAYS ‘RAID’: Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan has condemned the Crime Branch ‘raid’ on the Surya TV office. In a statement here, he said that the Government was resorting to such strong arm measures to prevent the media from exposing the wrong deeds of the ministers. In a separate statement, Asianet Associates Welfare Society said that the Crime Branch ‘raid’ was aimed at muzzling the media and depriving the people of their right to information. In a meeting held at the Press Club, journalists from various media 6 organisations flayed the intimidatory tactics being adopted by the Crime Branch. They alleged that the police were fabricating cases to arrest the journalist who had reported the issue.
Saturday, June 29, 2002
Federal Engg College all set to go on stream
ALUVA: Federal Institute of Science and Technology (FISAT), the new engineering college sanctioned by AICTE to start B.Tech courses during the current year, is all set to commence its four-year B Tech courses with affiliation to Mahatma Gandhi University. AICTE has approved 60 seats each in electronics and communication engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical and electronics engineering and electronics and instrumentation engineering. The 26-acre campus is located at Hormis Nagar, Mookkannoor, on the outskirts of Angamaly town. Mookkannoor is the birthplace of the late K P Hormis, founder of Federal Bank. The campus has been named ‘Hormis Nagar’ after him. It is within a radius of 4 km from NH 47, 6 km from Angamaly railway station and 10 km from Kochi International Airport. Well-known pilgrim centres like Kalady, the birth place of Adi Sankara, Malayattoor, blessed with the footprints of St Thomas, and the Athirappily waterfalls, one of the important tourist attractions, are in the vicinity of the campus. All the facilities required as per course specifications for the conduct of the first year classes of all four branches of study sanctioned by AICTE have been fully provided by the college. The first phase of construction of around 6000 sq meter. (approximately 64,000 sq ft) of academic, administrative and infrastructural sections of the college building in three floors has been completed. The building is in traditional Kerala style (nalukettu) with nadumuttam. The built-up area is 200% of the required minimum area stipulated by AICTE for the first year. A full-fledged college library with nearly 6,000 volumes of textbooks and reference books, with computer-assisted operations, has been set up. Technical journals and science magazines are subscribed. A vast and fully-equipped computer centre with P-IV personal computer with licensed software has been arranged. Well-equipped workshops in smithy, carpentry, fitting, foundry, etc for the mechanical engineering section; in masonry, plumbing and surveying for the civil engineering section and in wiring, electronic circuit design for the electrical engineering section, have been set up. A drawing hall with ample facilities is provided. Well-furnished classrooms and tutorial rooms, seminar halls and auditorium are arranged. Separate hostels with all amenities have been provided. The boys’ hostel is situated inside the college campus. The girls’ hostel is housed in a safe and secure building run by nuns. Conveyance will be arranged by the college for day-scholars from Ernakulam, Aluva, Perumbavoor and Chalakudy. The college is a self-financing institution established and managed by the Federal Bank Officers Association (FBOA) Educational Society. R Satheeshchandra Babu, president of Federal Bank Officers Association, is the president of the managing committee and P V Mathew, general secretary of FBOA and national vice-president of All-India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), is the secretary of the society. Mathew Jacob (vice-president), Joseph Mathew (treasurer), V K Prasad (associate secretary) and S Sathyamoorthy (assistant treasurer) are the other office-bearers of the society. The society has enlisted the support of many luminaries from the fields of education, technology, administration and banking to guide the functioning of FISAT. The advisory board of the society consists of eminent persons with proven capabilities, including K P Rajappan, former head of Department of Electronics, IIT, Chennai (chairman), K P Fabian, IFS (retd), former Ambassador of India to Italy and Gulf countries, and Prof Jose Pappu, former Principal, St Alosious College, Thrissur. K S M Panicker (NSS College, Palakkad), former Principal, Model Engineering College, Ernakulam, is the consultant of the college. Ph.D-holders and postgraduates with experience in well-known institutions have been appointed in senior posts. Engineering graduates with excellent academic records and good performance in written test/personal interview have been selected for junior-level lecturer posts. M George Joseph, M.Tech, Ph.D (former Principal, Government Engineering College, Thrissur), has already joined as the Principal of the college. The seats for various courses for the current year in open merit/payment category will be filled by the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations. The NRI/management quota seats will be filled as per government directives. More details and application forms can be had from phone numbers 0484-628646, 627646, e-mail: fisat@vsnl.net, website: www.fisat.org.
Saturday, June 29, 2002
Two children among four killed in auto-bus smash
MALAPPURAM: Four persons, including three members of a family, were killed and four others injured when a private bus collided with the autorickshaw in which they were travelling, at Manjeri, near here on Friday evening. The deceased have been identified as Chingath Thami, 58, hailing from Musaliarangadi, his two grandsons Bhagyaraj, 7 and eight-month-old Sanjay and the autorickshaw driver, Parammel Riyas, 24, son of Cholamukken Abdul Rahiman. The mishap occurred when the autorickshaw collided with the Kozhikode- bound private bus ‘Tinu’ at Patarkullam, one kilometre from Manjeri on the Kozhikode road at around 5 p.m. Four other members of the family, including two daughters of the deceased Thami and their two sons, who were travelling in the ill-fated autorickshaw, are under treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and Moulana Hospital at Perinthalmanna. The injured are, Rajitha, mother of the deceased Bhagyaraj, her younger son Ragyaraj, 2, Sabitha, 22, mother of the deceased Sanjay and her elder son Sharath, 4. The deceased Thami is the retired peon of the Chirayil GMLP School at Musaliarangadi. The family members were on their way from their house at Cholakkal, near Musaliarangadi, to Manjeri after attending a function when the accident occurred. An irate mob which gathered at the accident spot soon after the incident, destroyed the private bus involved in the mishap.
Saturday, June 29, 2002
Shoranur – Nilambur train derails; none hurt
MALAPPURAM: The Shoranur – Nilambur passenger train derailed at Cherukara, near Angadipuram on Friday. However, none of the passengers was injured in the accident. The accident occurred when the wheels of the engine of the passenger train (No: 645), which was on its way from Shoranur to Nilambur, derailed at 12.15 p.m. at Mulathumpadi, about a kilometre from the Cherukara Railway Station. The train travelled around 200 metres after the engine got derailed. A team of senior railway officials, including additional divisional railway manager Titus Koshi, senior divisional safety officer Balachandran and Shoranur station manager Kuttikrishnan visited the spot to monitor the restoration works. Railway officials said the rail traffic through the route would be restored by Saturday.
Saturday, June 29, 2002
Driver killed as train hits van at railway gate
PALAKKAD: Ratheesh, a driver, was killed when the tempo van which he was driving was hit by a train at the Punnool railway gate between Mahe and Thalassery on Thursday at 8.50 am. The Kurla-Thiruvananthapuram Nethravathi Express speeding towards Thiruvananthapuram hit the tempo van at the manned railway gate number 224. The van was returning after dropping school students. Though Ratheesh was rushed to the Indira Gandhi Hospital at Thalassery, his life could not be saved. Additional Divisional Railway Manager Titus Koshy has rushed to the accident site from Palakkad to assess the situation. The Railways has informed that Pranab Kumar Sen, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern circle, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, will hold a two-day statutory inquiry into the mishap on June 30 and July 1 at Kannur railway station.
Saturday, June 29, 2002
Sex workers stage dharna
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than 50 members of the Sex Workers’ Forum, Kerala, staged a dharna in front of the Secretariat here on Friday to protest against what they called the police harassment and to demand protection of their human rights. Maitreya, a social activist who has played a significant role in floating the sex workers’ outfit, said that similar protest programmes were organised today in front of the Secretariats of other southern States also. The sex workers came to the Secretariat in a march from the AIDS Control Society office. Writer Paul Zachariah, who expressed his solidarity with the women, said that the sex workers were the most unorganised section in society. The law which was enacted to protect them was in reality acting as vehicle of oppression against them, he said. Society in fact had a double standard towards them. The so-called morality of society was nothing but a farce, he said. Maitreya observed that though the Prevention of Immoral Traffic Act (PITA) was formulated to ‘protect’ women from being exploited by others, it ended up punishing the same women it supposed to ‘save.’ This happened because of two clauses, section 7 & 8 of PITA, dealing with public soliciting. A deaf and dumb woman, with the help of interpreters, said that she was brutally beaten up by the police near Thampanoor the other day when she was standing on the road. In fact, she had gone there to do some shopping, she said. A few male sex workers were also present at the dharna. Suresh, one of them from Ernakulam, said that he was being constantly harassed by the police. He was arrested several times even when he was not engaged in any sexual act, he said.
Saturday, June 29, 2002
Gang goes on the rampage, 10 hurt
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ten persons were injured at Kunnampara near Malayinkeezhu when a gang comprising about 30 persons attacked them with sharp-edged weapons after creating terror by hurling bombs in the area. The injured, most of them with deep gashes on their hands and legs, have been admitted to the Medical College Hospital. They have been identified as CMP Kunnampara branch secretary Shibu Thomas, 28, Madhu, 32, Francis, 30, Anil, 31, Vishwambaran, 48, Prathapan, 35, Mohan Kumar, 47, Christina Bai, 38, Rajesh, 28, and Pramod, 25. The incident took place around 9 pm. The attack is believed to have been carried out in retaliation of an incident that occurred two weeks ago in which Saju, a known history-sheeter, was caught by local residents and handed over to police.
Saturday, June 29, 2002
3 Union Ministers to participate in Onam fete
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three Union Ministers, including Home Minister L K Advani, will participate in this year’s Onam week celebrations from August 19 to 25. Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan and Civil Aviation Minister Syed Shahnavaz Hussain are the other Ministers who will take part in the celebrations. Former CM K Karunakaran had flayed the decision to invite Advani for the celebrations.
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Embarrassing retreat for P J Joseph
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Congress(J) chairman P J Joseph has made an embarrassing retreat from his agitation demanding restoration of land to the farmers who had been evicted from Mathikettanmala, seemingly in the face of strict opposition from other LDF partners, especially of CPM and CPI. Besides, the order of the High Court that the land in the area should not be restored to those evicted also has forced Joseph to give up his party’s agitation. It may be recalled that the the LDF leadership had given an ultimatum to Joseph to withdraw his party’s agitation. Joseph’s new stand has put the lid on speculation that he is leaving the LDF and his party will merge with Kerala Congress(Mani) led by Revenue Minister K M Mani, a leading constituent in the UDF. His decision to call off the stir and to remain in the LDF fold will be a political and personal setback for Joseph. In a statement here on Wedensday, Joseph announced his party’s decision to suspend the agitation in view of the High Court order. He said in the statement that LDF was unanimous that strict action be taken to check encroachment in Mathikettanmala. But the farmers who had settled at Thondimalathavalam years ago were evicted under the cover of Mathikettanmala issue. His party had been opposing this and not the eviction at Mathikettanmala. But the agitation had to be suspended following the High Court order. However, the party would continue its efforts to convince all those concerned that farmers at Thondimalathavalam had been evicted, he said.
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Police probe ordered into Surya TV document
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has decided to ask the crime branch to investigate whether a TV report incriminating a minister aired a forged document. The document aired by Surya TV on Monday reportedly suggested that Tourism Minister K.V. Thomas had links with a Rs.3.36 billion money laundering scandal dating back two years. Thomas confirmed that the government had decided to ask the crime branch to determine the document's validity. "The cabinet will take up this issue. I have also moved the courts against Surya TV for telecasting baseless information," Thomas told . The issue was raised in the assembly Tuesday and the opposition demanded a judicial probe into the matter. The document Surya TV showed was purportedly written by the director general of the police, intelligence wing, to Chief Minister A.K. Antony's private secretary saying Thomas had links with the main accused in the money laundering case -- a Coimbatore-based man called Surendran. Antony has ruled out a judicial probe and said the document is fabricated and no such letter was written by the police officer to his private secretary. Surya TV is standing by the report and has apparently faxed a copy of the document to federal Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran, who has a stake in the channel. Shiv Sena activists Wednesday staged a demonstration outside the state secretariat, burnt Thomas in effigy and demanded his sacking. They warned that if Antony does not oust Thomas in two weeks, they would intensify their agitation. The issue surfaced when Surya TV telecast a story in May that the authorities in Kerala were clueless about an allegedly illegal money transaction that took place two years ago. The money was allegedly transferred into four banks in the state from Mumbai. The Enforcement Directorate, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, the income tax department and the Reserve Bank of India are at present conducting separate probes into the matter. The investigations are centred on Thrissur, Kochi, Palakkad and Kozhikode districts, from where Surendran reportedly withdrew the money.
Thursday, June 27, 2002
SFI activists gherao Higher Sec Education Director
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The gherao of Higher Secondary Education Director by Students Federation of India demanding rectification of the flaws in the publication of Plus-Two results resulted in a minor altercation between them and the police. Few window panes of the directorate were damaged in the subsequent development. Later, the students lifted the gherao following an assurance from the Higher Secondary Education Director that the withheld results would be announced at the earliest and mark-lists would be provided before July 6. He also assured them that mark-lists would be provided to all who wished to apply for professional courses after June 29 on submitting the required documents. Meanwhile, All India Students Federation organinsed an Assembly march and marches to various education deputy director offices raising the slogan ‘rescue education, rescue Kerala.’
Thursday, June 27, 2002
MT appears in court, deposes before Chief Judicial Magistrate
KOZHIKODE: M T Vasudevan Nair deposed his sworn statement in connection with the defamation suit filed against artist-critic M V Devan, before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), here on Tuesday. CJM M J Sakthidharan directed to issue summons to the five accused, including M V Devan, and posted the case for August 5. M T Vasudevan Nair is expected to file a civil case, seeking Rs 10 lakh as compensation from the respondents, before the sub-court, here, tomorrow. MT, who was summoned by the CJM to submit his sworn statement today, had reached the court premises by 2 pm and had to wait for an hour before he could depose before the court. ‘‘I am the plaintiff and am 69 years old. The accused have defamed me. The interview with the first accused M V Devan, appeared in the weekend edition of Kalakaumudi, printed from Mumbai, has in it certain statements intended to defame me,’’ MT’s sworn statement continues. ‘‘The particular issue of Kalakaumudi has been produced before the court. Printer and editor of Kalakaumudi Mumbai edition, Prasad Lakshmanan is the second accused while the interviewer Selvaraj is the third accused. Fourth and fifth accused Biju Nair and Sunil Kumar had prepared the layout.’’ ‘‘The defamatory statement of the first accused, along with my photograph, was given a wide display.’’ CJM: ‘‘Did the publication seek your version before publishing the statement made by the first accused ? MT: ‘‘No.’’ CJM: ‘‘Has the journalistic ethics been upheld, in your opinion ?’’ MT: ‘‘No.’’ CJM: ‘‘What was the purpose behind publishing the particular statement ?’’ MT: ‘‘To defame me.’’
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Police may initiate action against TV channel
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police are contemplating prosecution proceedings against the private television channel which had telecast a news report based on an allegedly forged letter attributed to the DGP (Intelligence). The issue was discussed at length at a late night meeting of senior officers at the police headquarters here. DGP K J Joseph, IG Intelligence Rajan Madhekar, former DGP Intelligence Hormis Tharakan and several other senior officers took part. According to sources, the police top brass had conducted a detailed examination of various official records yesterday and today to ascertain whether any such letter had gone from the Intelligence headquarters. They came to a conclusion that such a letter had not been dispatched from the said office. Sources said that the seal on the so called confidential note was similar to the one used for administrative purpose, particularly to keep a tab on the movement of a file in the Police Department. Moreover, any letter or note which goes from the Intelligence headquarters has the address of Special Branch CID (Intelligence), Headquarters, Pattom, Thiruvananthpauram. Each letter sent from the Intelligence carries a reference number which was missing in this particular note. They said that though the note was written partially in police jargon, references like ‘‘The Chief Minister of Kerala’’ in the note, are never made in official communication of the police. ‘‘Honourable Chief Minister’’ is the normal usage in police communications.
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Cine star Dileep performs Tulabharam
GURUVAYOOR: Cine star Dileep, his wife Manju Warrier and other family members visited the Guruvayur Temple on Tuesday. They performed Tulabharam before the darshan. Dileep performed Tulabharam with tender coconuts, Manju with butter while their daughter Meenakshi performed it with ‘Kadali’ bananas. Forty-six tender coconuts and 60 kg of butter was used for the Tulabharam.
Thursday, June 27, 2002
LDF settles differences over Mathikettan scandal
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A crisis in Kerala's opposition front over its approach towards a land grab scandal appears to have blown over. The Kerala Congress (J), one of the six constituents of the Marxist-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), has agreed to toe the alliance's line on the controversy surrounding the grabbing of forestland at Mathikettan in Idukki district. Following a five-hour LDF meeting late Tuesday, Kerala Congress (J) chief P.J. Joseph agreed not to continue advocating the cause of the land grabbers who have now been evicted. The LDF had latched on to the Mathikettan controversy to embarrass the United Democratic Front (UDF), especially since a minister's kin were alleged to be among the land grabbers. Ironically, it was Kerala Congress (J) legislator P.C. George who gave the government the hardest time over the allegations against Revenue Minister K.M. Mani's relatives. But his party's chairman Joseph suddenly demanded that the government under no circumstances evict those who had grabbed the forestland and had even started a local agitation. Adding to the confusion were rumours that Joseph had struck a deal with Mani and was planning to merge his party with the minister's Kerala Congress (M). Before the meeting began Tuesday, the widespread impression was that Joseph would stick to his guns and the LDF might eventually oust him. But things did not come to such a pass. "We told Joseph that his stand was contrary to the position taken by the LDF. We also rejected his plan to set up an LDF committee to go into the land grab issue," said LDF convenor Paloly Mohammedkutty. A relieved P.C. George, who also took part in the LDF meeting, said: "My party seems to have understood the position I took on this issue. I was worried when senior members of my party took a divergent view." Joseph's party has just two legislators in the assembly. Political analysts say he backed down primarily because the legislators were opposed to his stand and he could not possibly merge his party with Mani's without their support.
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Digitalised `professor' to coach medical, engineering aspirants
KOCHI: Offering `success at fingertips', Digital Software, a Kadavanthra-based company, has launched a set of Compact Discs (CD) titled Mr Professor to impart training for engineering and medical entrance examinations. The interactive multimedia CD is designed to create a virtual examination situation and to build confidence and time management skills in the candidates. The CD contains over 30,000 selected questions and answers on four subjects. It also covers English for MBBS aspirants. Solved question papers of earlier entrance exams conducted in the Southern states are also included in the CD. Each chapter contains papers at different levels like simple, medium and tough. "The CD has been recognized by Kerala's CBSE School Management Association and it will be marketed through the schools," says K P Harihara Iyer, CEO of the company. The CD, which is available only through the schools in the State, is priced at Rs 1,100. For details contact tel no. 317708.
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Four new telephone exchanges coming up in Alappuzha
ALAPPUZHA: Four new telephone exchanges in the district will be dedicated to the nation in the coming days. Pathiyur telephone exchange, which became operational recently, will be dedicated by Minister for Public Relations M M Hassan at a function, scheduled to be held at Pathiyur St George Orthodox Syrian Church parish hall, on Saturday. Ramesh Chennithala, MP, will dedicate Cheriyanad telephone exchange, at a function to be held at Cheriyanad Basic Girls School, on the same day. Sobhana George, MLA, will preside over the function. Ramesh Chennithala will dedicate Chettikulangara telephone exchange on Saturday. M Murali, MLA, will preside over a public meeting, to be held at Chettikulangara Divya Auditorium, in this connection. The dedication ceremony of Mulankuzha exchange will be held at Mulankuzha Orthodox Church parish hall on Friday. Meanwhile, the authorities have started giving new phone connections from Cherthala exchange. The connections are given on the basis of priority, director-general of Telecom said here.
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Cops held for ‘taking’ bribe
KOLLAM: Two police constables at Kottarakkara police station were arrested on Tuesday by the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance DySP while taking bribe from a bus owner. The Kottarakkara SI had deputed two constables, Chandra Babu and Varghese, to inquire into a petition filed by the parents of a child, who sustained injuries in a minor accident while getting down from a private bus. The child had been admitted to hospital. The parents, in their petition, had prayed for an amount as compensation for the treatment. Bus owner Sabu had informed Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance DySP that the police constables were demanding bribe for settling the case. The Vigilance team arrested the constables while Chandra Babu was accepting Rs 1250 from Sabu near Kottarakkara police station. The constables pleaded that they accepted the money to hand it over to the parents of the child.
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Karunakaran bereaved
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM June 26. K. Kunhirama Marar, elder brother of the senior Congress leader, K. Karunakaran, passed away in Kannur today. He was 97. The cremation will be held at the Kalliyaserry panchayat crematorium on Thursday. Hundreds of party leaders, including the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, arrived at Mr. Karunakaran's residence to pay condolences
Thursday, June 27, 2002
23 engg. colleges get AICTE approval
The Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, has said that the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has approved proposals for starting 23 engineering colleges in the State this year. Talking to presspersons after a Cabinet meeting today, the Chief Minister said that with this the total number of seats would be 14,489. All students who pass the higher secondary examinations with fairly good marks would be able to secure admissions for engineering courses. Mr. Antony said that the State had also been sanctioned five new MBA courses and 11 Master of Computer Application courses in the existing institutions. He said that the Crime Branch would inquire into fabrication of a report alleging involvement of the Fisheries and Tourism Minister, K. V. Thomas, in the transfer of large sums of money to Kerala through the hawala route. (A document purported to be communication from the Director General of Police-Intelligence suggesting involvement of the Minister in the hawala transfers had been fabricated to support the allegation.) The Cabinet constituted a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to decide on granting of package of incentives announced for Information Technology (IT) units in the IT policy to claimants.
Thursday, June 27, 2002
Hits and misses
Director Thampy Kannamthanam, who placed Mohanlal on the superstar throne with the all-time hit ‘Rajavinte Makan’, is now enjoying the runaway success of one more Lal-starrer, ‘Onnaman’. The film, released during Vishu, is still running to packed houses in Kerala even without much publicity. The success of the film has once again made Thampy the saviour of Mohanlal, who had been continuously failing to rise up to Malayalees’ sky-high expectations about him and had been stagnating in ustad-type characters for years. I would say ‘Onnaman’ has helped Lal make a come back, Thampy, who is doing the paper work of yet another Mohanlal-starrer, says. Even while enjoying the success of the film, Thampy feels sad that the Kerala media failed to bring out a healthy review of the film. What they wrote was only gossip. There is no proper evaluation of the film. A writer or publisher is often influenced by his personal likes and dislikes of the director. In the same way, those who boast about being lovers of the so-called art films should not review a film like ‘Onnaman’ which is meant for the ordinary people, he says. I don’t think a true filmgoer wants gossip. Those who want to enjoy a film and those who want to enjoy gossip are entirely different people. This time, they got a chance to criticise me as the film was produced by somebody else, not me, Thampy, who is equally famous as a director and producer of big budget films, says. You should know that a film’s success is the industry’s success and the industry’s success is media’s success. So, media should always be supportive to the industry which is facing a crisis now. I can’t say the number of film-lovers has decreased. But I will agree with you that the number of theatre-goers is decreasing. People get to watch even new movies on TV, cable, etc. So, it is the media’s duty to suggest ways to bring the profit to the producer even if people don’t go to the theatre, Thampy, who owns a production and distribution company (Julia), says. Though he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, there is a portrait of a young man whose sufferings and perseverance ultimately forced him into a maker of hits. Thampy traces the origin of his love for films to the colourful film notices which he used to collect as a six or seven-year-old boy. The son of a planter who hails from an orthodox family in Kanjirappally, Thampy felt in his younger days that there was unlimited freedom in the film world and he wanted to enjoy this. Realising that an easy way to enter the film world was by producing a film, Thampy came to Chennai with his friend, K M Mathew, who had experience in the production side. They met director Sasikumar and others. The duo was advised to go to Kerala and come back later. As they were standing at the Central Railway Station to board a train to Kerala, Thampy felt that if he returned to Kerala, he would not be able to realise his dream and so he decided to stay back while his friend returned. He met Sasikumar again and the director allowed him to follow him to locations. In locations, Thampy began to do some voluntary work. He survived here for a year with the Rs 500 his parents sent every month. After a year, he found himself in a financial crisis. At that time, I thought my parents deserted me, he says. Gradually, everybody in the set treated him as an assistant director and he found himself rising up as assistant director grade one, grade two, and grade three and at last as an associated director. I didn’t know the difference between these categories. I worked obediently. Only when I was asked, I would express my opinion. This is a quality which is lacking now, Thampy says. Thampy’s early independent directorial ventures like ‘Thaavalam’, ‘Passport’ and ‘Aa Neram Alpa Dooram’ were flops and producers gave him a wide berth. "I realised that my failure was in the script. So I decided to produce and direct a film on a good script." And the film was ‘Rajavinte Makan’ which made many people famous, including me. The film created a new trend in the Malayalam film world and created a market for the audio cassette of the screenplay. Equally famous is Thampy’s next film, ‘Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar’, which confirmed Lal’s position as a superstar. Then came films like ‘Vazhiyorakazhchakal’, ‘Indrajalam’, ‘Thudarkkatha’ (production only) ‘Kadalorakkattu’ (production only, directed by Thampy’s assistant Jomon) ‘Naadodi’, ‘Chukkan’ ‘Maasmaram’, ‘Sakshyam’ and ‘Panchaloham’ (production only). ‘Manthrikam’, which he produced and directed in 1995 after tasting some failures, sent a James Bond spirit throughout Kerala. There are only two types of films - ‘odunnathum’ and ‘odaathathum’ (success and flop). I will produce and direct a film I can watch with my wife and daughters, Thampy says. The image of Thampy in me is that of a director who holds art for life’s sake and, at the same time, who gives maximum entertainment without an iota of boredom.
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
One killed, 33 injured in mishap
One person was killed and 33 others were injured when a mini lorry carrying fishermen overturned at Shankaramangalam in Chavara police station limits. The deceased was identified as Muthukumaran (55), native of Azheekkal. Four seriously injured persons had been admitted to Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. Others were admitted to the district hospital in Kollam. The lorry was proceeding to Azheekkal, the northern coastal village of the district from Thangassery in Kollam town.
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Govt asked not to permit re-occupation of Mathikettan land
A Division Bench of the High Court directed the state government not to permit any of the persons evicted from the Mathikettan forest land to re-occupy any of the reserve forest area. The bench comprising chief justice B N Srikrishna and justice G Sivarajan also directed the government to ensure that none of the products like cardamom, which had been grown the forest area, are removed by anybody other than the officers of the forest department. The directions were issued while considering public interest litigation (PIL) by the Nature Lovers Movement and one Joy Kaitharath of vellinkulangara seeking CBI investigation into the Mathikattan encroachment. The bench also directed the government to produce the report regarding the inspection conducted in the area. While the case came up before the bench, the Additional Advocate General submitted that voluminous report had been submitted by additional chief secretary, Chandrasekharan Nair, which is to be discussed by the cabinet on June 26. Hence, further affidavit can be filed only after cabinet deliberations. The case has been adjourned to Jul 8.
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
200 employees to bid good-bye to FACT
200 employees, who had opted for the special VRS package, will bid goodbye to FACT on June 30, company sources said. FACT management had agreed to sanction VRS to 200 employees, including 28 managers, in the first phase, sources told. Totally 428 employees, including 109 officers, had opted for VRS under the month-long special scheme which ended on june 10. The rest would be considered later, the sources said adding lack of funds had forced the company to implement the scheme in phases. As per the new VRS package, employees who have worked for 30 years in the company and have five more years to retire, would be entitled to 60 months salary, the sources said. In the earlier VRS schemes introduced by FACT management from 1997-2002, only 160 persons had opted for VRS. FACT, which is the largest public sector company in kerala with a staff strength of 6366, has been marked for disinvestment
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Kerala to have more women constables
The Congress-led UDF Government in Kerala was committed to increasing the strength of women police constables from the present two per cent to ten per cent in a phased manner, Chief Minister A K Antony informed the state assembly. Replying to a submission in this regard, Antony said state Public Service Commission had given advice memos on selection to 910 women and out of this 499 were undergoing training at the Police Academy. The training of the present batch would be completed on July 15 and after that the fresh batch would be called, he said.
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Foot-and-mouth disease serious in Kerala
Kerala Government has deputed five teams of doctors to check the spread of the foot-and-mouse disease in livestock which has assumed serious proportion with 700 cases reported so far from six districts,Agriculture Minister K R Gowri told the state Assembly. Answering a calling attention motion on the subject, Gowri said five teams of doctors had been deputed to check the disease reported from Kannur, Alapuzha, Kottayam, Kollam, Ernakulam and Idukki districts. Besides, the Kerala Agriculture Pathology and Preventive Medicine Departments had been asked to hold a probe, she said. The state Government was also considering to introduce a new medical insurance scheme to livestock. Bringing cattle to the state without taking preventive medicine was the main reason for the spread of disease in the state, she said.
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Chambakkulam Moolam boat race on Tuesday
ALAPPUZHA: The first among a number of boat races to be hosted by the district in the coming months, Chambakkulam Moolam boat race, will be held at Chambakkulam back waters in Kuttanad on Tuesday. District Collector K M Ramanandan will hoist a flag marking the beginning of the water festival. A culutral meet has also been organised in this connection. V M Sudheeran MP will inaugurate the opening session of the festival while, D Suguthan MLA will preside over the function. A mass drill of the participating boats will be flagged off by the Ambalappuzha Dewaswom Assistant Commissioner S Sumangala at 2 p.m. State Tourism Minister Prof K V Thomas will inaugurate water festival after the mass drill and around 21 boats will participate in the competition category, which will be inaugurated by district panchayath president C S Sujatha at 2.45 p.m. The winners of the boat race will be given a trophy presented by the erstwhile king of Travancore along with a number of other trophies and cash prizes. The cultural meet organised as a part of the festival will be inaugurated by Travancore Devaswom Board president Dr N Babu at 3.30 p.m. The estimated expense of the festival is Rs 3.5 lakhs and the State Cultural Department and the Ambalappuzha Devaswom will provide Rs 10,000 and Rs 6,000 respectively. The organisers expect to raise the rest of the amount from various sponsors.
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Antony ruffles feathers of Kerala media
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony, for long a darling of the state media, suddenly finds himself in their bad books. The bickering is over new curbs imposed on TV channels covering question hour in the Kerala assembly. Antony first boycotted his own press conference last week, when journalists protesting the new curbs turned up with black badges and some had their mouths gagged. TV crews were also kept out of a high-level meeting he had with top police officers here. But TV channels are determined not to relent. Hitting back on Sunday evening, Surya TV came out with a news item saying this was not the first time Antony had a part in press censorship. It said he was among the five men appointed in 1975 by then prime minister Indira Gandhi to bring The Indian Express newspaper in line with the government's wishes during the then emergency regime. Another TV channel said Antony, who was the then president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, had spoken at a public meeting about the need for press censorship during the emergency. Antony's archrival and former Chief Minister K. Karunakaran lashed out at him in an interview to Surya TV.
Monday, June 24, 2002
Medical pay seat bonanza for Non-resident Keralites
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five new medical colleges in the pipeline means good news for Kerala -- especially for non-resident Keralites (NRK) who will get priority for 50 new seats. The state has six medical colleges with 800 seats altogether. Only 22 of these are reserved for NRKs. The new five private colleges waiting for a nod from the Medical Council of India (MCUI) are the Amritha Institute of Medical Science, Kochi, Pushpagiri Medical College, Thiruvalla, Medical Mission Hospital, Kolencherry, Dr Somerwell Memorial CSI Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram and the Imam Rafi Muslim Educational Charitable Trust, Thrissur. Each plans to start with 100 seats, of which 50 per cent would be filled on merit. The rest would be reserved for different categories of students, including 10 percent for NRKs. To qualify for this 10 percent, an applicant has to be at least 17 and related to an NRK. He or she can be a close relative like a child or sibling or even a first cousin or nephew/niece. If there aren't enough such applicants, the colleges will consider such kin of foreign citizens of Kerala origin and in their absence, the kin of non-resident, non-Keralite Indians. The MCI has visited the proposed five colleges twice. Its permission is expected after a third visit soon. An official of the Dr Somerwell Memorial CSI Medical College Hospital said they were ready to start classes and were only waiting for the MCI approval. "Only the NRK seats are vacant, the rest has been filled," he added. For the new pay seats, a candidate has to pay $60,000 or its equivalent in Indian currency at the time of admission by demand draft made out to the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations and payable at Thiruvananthapuram. An NRK applicant has to provide a certificate to prove he is an Indian citizen. He also has to provide other documents like the original marksheet of the qualifying examination, an age certificate and a declaration from an NRK establishing their relationship.
Monday, June 24, 2002
Fake visa racket to bring Keralites to Oman busted
DUBAI: A fake visa racket to bring 280 workers from Kerala to Oman was busted after it was discovered that some Indian expatriates have used a company letterhead of a meat seller in Ruwi to deceive the job seekers. The attempt was thwarted when one of the job seekers, who was asked to pay Rs 80,000 for the job of a cleaner, checked on the company’s antecedents in Oman. Sources in Muscat told the Times of Oman newspaper that visa racketeers operating from Kerala also asked Rs 25,000 as advance to facilitate easy entry into the country with the visa provided by the meat seller. The company had asked people in 14 categories – general foreman with Omani driving licence (2 nos), aluminum fabricator (3 nos), industrial electrician (2), overhead lineman (10), overhead electrician (10), maintenance man (2), cable joiner (15), painter (5), helpers (90), cleaner boys (30) and riggers (15). The remaining three categories – shuttering carpenter (15), mason (50) and helper (35) were urgently needed. This was typed in a company letterhead addressed to one Khader in Ernakulam who works for a travel agency involved in recruiting manpower for Gulf countries. Indian Embassy sources said the meat company had not approached them to recruit personnel from India. Although it is not necessary for local companies to go through the embassy for recruitment, big firms approach the embassy for assistance to avoid future complications, the sources said.
Monday, June 24, 2002
Athachamayam contests: Registration from July 1
TRIPTHURA: Athachamayam, the traditional ceremony to mark the beginning of Thiruvonam celebrations, will fall on August 12 this year. Art and literary contests would be held on July 20, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31. They include recitation, folk dance, instrumental music, fancy dress, essay writing, kathakali, light music, classical music, mimicry, monoact, pencil drawing, painting, clay-modelling, bharathanatyam, mohiniyattom and kuchupidi. A reception committee office at Layal Shopping Complex B-Block was inaugurated by Municipal chairman K K Mohanan. Contests in athapookkalam and floats will be held on August 12, the day on which the famous Atham procession will be held. Those interested should register their names at the reception committee office from July 1.
Monday, June 24, 2002
IT to assist fishermen in distress at sea off kerala
The Kerala Fisheries Department with the cooperation of the Coast Guard and others concerned has launched a network with control centre at Thiruvananthapuram to receive distress calls and provide rescue and relief within the shortest possible time, Talking to media persons in Kochi, State Fisheries and Tourism Minister K V Thomas claimed that such a facility covering the coast of an entire state was for the first time in the country and would be of extreme use to the fishermen going to the sea, He said that wireless and cellular facilities were being coordinated and boats within 50 km off the coast would be able to convey any distress message, which would be attended to through the nearest rescue centre besides the coast guard. Prof. Thomas claimed that during the first year since the United Democratic Front Government came to power in May last year, a sum of around Rs 32 crores had been spent under various programmes for the welfare of the fishermen community in the state. The programmes including financial relief, house construction, electrification and assistance for self-employment. Various other projects to help the fishermen community in the state were on the anvil and would be announced and implemented in a time-bound manner, he added.
Monday, June 24, 2002
Mohanlal: The new Business man
Malayalam superstar has ambitious business plans Having dominated the Malayalam film industry for nearly two decades, superstar Mohanlal is now attempting to mix the reel life with the real world of business. The actor has chalked out a slew of business projects spanning diverse areas like restaurants, education, seafood and eco-tourism. To begin with, Mohanlal will launch a chain of restaurants under the brand name Lal's Tastebuds across the Gulf countries, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The superstar will also bring the prestigious Delhi Public School to Kerala. Mohanlal has already opened his first restaurant in Dubai. A number of Lal's Tastebuds will soon be launched in various other Gulf cities and in Chennai, Kochi and Kozhikode in the next few months. To bring the Delhi Public School to Kerala, Mohanlal has joined hands with a few prominent businessmen in the state and the Gulf countries. They including leading seafood exporter K C Babu, Gulf-based NRI businessman Mohammed Ashraf and Thomas Chandy who runs a school in Kuwait. Recent Features Ayesha: Bombay Dreams star Once upon 2002 in Bollywood Shabana is a witch! Kher's moment in the sun Here comes Esha Deol Naseer vs Sean Connery Yash Chopra ready to roll Watch out for ESIF! Madhuri scores over AB! MORE FEATURES... One of Mohanlal's partners in the education venture said the actor's desire to set up the DPS branches in Kerala should not be strictly labelled as a business proposition. "Mohanlal is very eager to bring a nationally reputed public school like DPS to his home state," the business partner told rediff.com. To begin with, he said, they have already registered a trust named Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Education Trust. "We are planning three DPS branches in Kerala in the cities of Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. The DPS school in Kochi has already started functioning," he added. Mohanlal and his partners are expected to invest around Rs 200 million to set up the three DPS schools in the state. The superstar will then set up a state-of-the-art studio complex in the Film and Video Park constructed by the state government-run Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation at Kazhakoottam in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram. The studio will have indoor and outdoor shooting locales, special effects workshops, live shoot and edit facilities and a recording suite to be used for films, video and television. Mohanlal is pumping in Rs 30 million into the studio park which is expected to be inaugurated August 17. Noted art director Sabu Cyril and director Priyadarshan are associated with Mohanlal in the studio project. Mohanlal now produces and distributes films in Kerala through two companies --- Pranavam Arts and Pranamam --- which he floated some years ago. He is also a partner and director of Uni Royal Marian Exports, a major Kozhikode-based seafood export company. Some of his close associates pointed out that Mohanlal is venturing out into the world of business because "he feels that as an actor, he has reached a saturation level. It seems Mohanlal has been discussing entering business after he huge [sums of] money in some of the Malayalam films he produced," the associate revealed. He said the superstar is also keen to set up a chain of eco-tourism projects in Kerala. "A consultant has been entrusted with the task of undertaking a feasibility study on eco-tourism resorts in key destinations across Kerala. May be eco-tourism resorts under the brand name of Mohanlal will come up in the state soon," he said. As a precursor to his tourism business, Mohanlal has already entered into discussions with a leading public limited company for buying a 32-room stylish guesthouse that the company plans to dispose off in the outskirts of Kochi. The actor’s plan is to renovate and re-launch the guesthouse as an eco-tourist resort.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
N F Varghese laid to rest
Kochi Mortal remains of Malayalam actor N F Varghese, who passed away at nearby Aluva on Wednesday, were laid to rest today. Relatives, fans and film industry colleagues gathered in large numbers to pay their last respects. (Agencies)
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Heavy rain in Kasargod, Houses destroyed
KASARGOD: Five houses have been destroyed and 45 incurred partial damages following heavy rains in Kasargod taluk so far. There has been widespread loss of standing crops in the eastern areas of the taluk. Plantains and arecanut saplings have been destroyed in Cherror amounting to a loss of Rs 30,000. As many as seven houses have been fully damaged and 12 partially in Kanhangad taluk. more than 19 coconut trees have been uprooted following erosion along coastlines in the district.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
‘P C Thomas may get berth in Union Cabinet’
KOTTAYAM: BJP national secretary Padmanabha Acharya hinted here on Friday that P C Thomas, MP, might get a berth in the Union Cabinet in the proposed reshuffle later during the month. Addressing mediapersons here, he said Thomas was coming closer to the ruling NDA and he should be accommodated in the Union Cabinet in the face of the need for increased representation for Kerala in the government. He appealed to the Congress(I)-led UDF Government in Kerala to change its approach to the Centrally-sponsored schemes. The State had to view the Central schemes from the people’s angle, instead of the political angle. Thomas was elected to the Lok Sabha in the last elections from the Muvattupuzha constituency in Kerala on the ticket of Kerala Congress(Mani), a constituent of the Congress(I)-led UDF. A year ago, he parted ways with KC(M) supremo K M Mani and floated his own party and supported the NDA at the Centre.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Joseph firm on Mathikettan
KOTTAYAM: Making clear his intention not to buckle under pressure from the LDF over the Mathikettan issue, Kerala Congress leader P J Joseph reiterated that encroachers and genuine farmers in Mathikettan hills should be viewed separately. Inaugurating the founding day celebrations of the Youth Front(J) here on Friday, Joseph said that most of those evicted from the hills were farmers falling under the pre-1977 settler category and they should be rehabilitated. Only a probe by an Assembly panel will serve the interests of the hapless evictees and justice can be meted, he added. He said the criticism raised by some quarters over his party’s support to the evictees is unwarranted. The Kerala Congress is duty-bound to protect the interests of genuine farmers without fear of consequences, he said. He came down on the UDF government for non-utilisation of even half the plan funds earmarked for last year. He also demanded that the government withdraw the ban on appointments in the state which has dashed the hopes of the youth. KC(J) state president Mons Joseph presided over.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Academic autonomy to 14 engg colleges
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In tune with its policy to liberalise education and more urgently to fulfil an important condition set by the World Bank for the proposed Rs 250 crore-aid package for the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme, the UDF Government has granted academic autonomy to 14 engineering colleges in the State. This is for the first time that any educational institution, including engineering colleges, is getting academic autonomy in the State. The engineering colleges that have been selected for the rare honour include four from the Government sector, three aided colleges, six public sector self-financing colleges and one private self-financing college. The institutions are College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kottayam, Government Engineering College, Thrissur, College of Engineering, Kannur (all Government colleges), T K M College of Engineering, Kollam, Mar Athanatius College of Engineering, Kothamangalam and NSS Engineering College, Palakkad (all aided colleges). The public self-financing colleges that received the new status are the KSRTC-run Sree Chitra College of Engineering, Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram, IHRD’s Model Engineering College, Ernakulam, College of Engineering, Chegannur, College of Engineering, Adoor, LBS College of Engineering, Kasargod, and Cochin University School of Engineering, Kochi. The only private self-financing college that got the elevation is the MES College, Kuttipuram, Malappuram.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Vilaggers offer tribute on the first anniversary of rail accident
KOZHIKODE: The people of Kadalundi and Vallikunnu, who heroically rescued many a passengers from the ill-fated Chennai Mail which plunged into the Kadalundi river last year, will observe the first anniversary of the disaster on Saturday. The programmes, including a mass fast, seminar, silent prayer and public meet, will be held under the aegis of a citizen’s committee, formed by the residents of Heros’ Nagar at Vallikunnu. Talking to mediapersons here, Vallikunnu grama panchayat president T Preetharani Balakrishnan and Citizen’s Committee office-bearers P T Chandran and T Devadasan demanded steps on the part of authorities for releasing the inquiry report of Chief Railway Safety Commissioner specifying the causes of the mishap, which claimed 52 precious lives. Alleging that the Railway Ministry failed to provide promised compensation to the relatives of those who were killed and severely injured in the tragedy, the committee pointed out that at least three affected families of Kadalundi region were among those who failed to obtain the promised compensation. ‘‘The Ministry took no major step so far to rectify its mistakes. No major initiative was undertaken to avert the recurrence of tragedies. Officials amassed a lot of money in the name of supplying necessary materials including food, umbrellas, chappals and hats to rescue workers belonging to Kadalundi. In fact, the Ministry even set aside the plea of local people for refunding the money spent on ensuring essential medicines and hiring vehicles for helping out the victims,’’ they said. Close relatives of those who killed in the disaster would join local people in offering floral tributes at the make-shift memorial column erected at Heros’ Nagar on Saturday morning, to mark the beginning of the day-long programmes. The fast would be inaugurated by Grama Panchayat president Preetharani Balakrishnan. N P Chekkutty, news director, Kairali channel, would moderate the seminar on ‘how to avert recurring of tragedies,’which would begin around 10 am. T P Somasundaran (Assistant professor, REC), lawyer Manjeri Sunder Raj, former Grama Panchayat president U Kalanathan, historian Dr M Gangadharan and journalist A Sajeevan will present papers detailing various aspects of the topic. Health Minister P Sankaran will inaugurate the memorial meeting to be held in the evening.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Minister initiates legal proceedings against Surya TV
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Food Minister G Karthikeyan has initiated legal proceedings against Surya television channel as well as a union leader in connection with the telecast of a series of ‘‘baseless, malicious and irresponsible’’ reports. A statement here from the Food Minister’s office said that Surya channel had telecast a series of baseless reports on the Civil Supplies Corporation. On Wednesday, a news report tarnishing the image of the minister was telecast, it added while explaining the decision to initiate legal proceedings.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Mass fast, silent prayer to mark Kadalundi disaster
KOZHIKODE: The people of Kadalundi and Vallikunnu, who heroically rescued many a passengers from the ill-fated Chennai Mail which plunged into the Kadalundi river last year, will observe the first anniversary of the train disaster on Saturday with various programmes. The programmes, including a mass fast, seminar, silent prayer and public meeting, will be held under the aegis of a citizen's committee, formed by the residents of Heros' Nagar at Vallikunnu. Talking to mediapersons here, Vallikunnu Grama Panchayat president T Preetharani Balakrishnan and Citizen's Committee office-bearers P T Chandran and T Devadasan demanded steps on the part of authorities for releasing the inquiry report of Chief Railway Safety Commissioner specifying the causes of the mishap, which claimed 52 precious lives. Alleging that the Railway Ministry failed to provide promised compensation to the relatives of those who were killed and severely injured in the tragedy, the committee pointed out that at least three affected families of Kadalundi region were among those who failed to obtain the promised compensation. ``The Ministry took no major step so far to rectify its mistakes. No major initiative was undertaken to avert the recurrence of tragedies. Officials amassed a lot of money in the name of supplying necessary materials including food, umbrellas, chappals and hats to rescue workers belonging to Kadalundi. In fact, the Ministry even set aside the plea of local people for refunding the money spent on ensuring essential medicines and hiring vehicles for helping out the victims,'' they said. Close relatives of those who killed in the disaster would join local people in offering floral tributes at the make-shift memorial column erected at Heros' Nagar on Saturday morning, to mark the beginning of the day-long programmes. The fast would be inaugurated by Grama Panchayat president Preetharani Balakrishnan. N P Chekkutty, news director of Kairali channel, would moderate the seminar on `how to avert recurring of tragedies,'which would begin around 10 am. T P Somasundaran (Assistant professor, REC), lawyer Manjeri Sunder Raj, former Grama Panchayat president U Kalanathan, historian Dr M Gangadharan and journalist A Sajeevan will present papers detailing various aspects of the topic. Health Minister P Sankaran will inaugurate the memorial meeting to be held in the evening. MLAs V K C Mammad Koya, C K Nanu, K T Abdurab and Kutti Ahmed Kutty will also address the meeting. The programmes would end in the evening with a silent prayer, which would be attended by hundreds of people belonging to the region.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
NRI deposits achieve 20 pc growth in Pathanamthitta
PATHANAMTHIITTA: The aggregate foreign exchange remittances in Pathanamthitta district showed a record growth of about 20 per cent during the 2001-2002 financial year. Sources in State Bank of Travancore said that the total NRI deposits in various commercial banks in the district increased to Rs 3,798.84 crore during the 2001-2002 financial year in contrast to the Rs 3,177 crore in the corresponding period of 2000-2001. The remarkable growth was achieved at a time when the interest on NRI deposits was low as compared to the earlier years, the bank sources said. Unlike other districts of the State, the NRI deposits of about Rs 3,798.84 crore contribute about 64 per cent of the total deposits of Rs 5,902.80 crore during the 2001-2002 financial year. The other attractive aspect of the NRI deposits here is the steady increase in ratio of the NRI deposits to the total deposits. During the 2000-2001 financial year, ratio of the NRI deposits to the total deposits was at 61 per cent. The increase in percentage of the total deposit in the district during the just concluded financial year was about 14 per cent as against nearly 20 per cent in the case of NRI deposits. The SBT, with 50 branches, topped the list in mobilising NRI deposits which stood at Rs 986.78 crore of a total 1,449.62 crore during the 2001-2002 financial yeatr. Federal Bank, which is having 37 branches, stood second with a total NRI deposits of Rs 803.04 crore of its total Rs 1,061.82 crore followed by Indian Overseas Bank with a NRI deposit of Rs 414.70 crore of its total deposits base of Rs 638 crore. State Bank of India, which has nine branches in the district, got NRI deposits worth Rs 403.90 crore of a total of Rs 573.53 crore. The South Indian Bank, with 19 branches, got NRI deposits worth Rs 261 crore. During the period, almost all the commercial banks recorded substantial increase in NRI deposits, with the South Indian Bank topped the ladder with a growth of 31 per cent. However, the SBI recorded negative growth of 5.6 per cent in NRI deposits at Rs 403.90 crore in the 2001-2002 financial year as against the Rs 425.43 crore during the same period in 2000-2001.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Marthanda Varma bridge in Aluva inaugurated
KOCHI: Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Major General (retd) B C Khandoori today said the Centre has chalked out plans to connect 10 major ports, including the Kochi port, with four National Highways. The proposed plan is aimed at improving the connectivity of the ports and an investment of Rs 4000 crore is estimated for the ambitious project, the Union Minister said inaugurating a the Marthanda Varma bridge at Aluva here on Saturday. Khanduri also inaugurated the road overbridge at Kalamassery on NH-47. Both the bridges are expected to ease the traffic on the highways. The Marthanda Varma bridge was completed in a record time of one year. Khanduri said Centre would spent a total of Rs 58,000 crore in the next seven years to improve the connectivity of the ports, which is essential to avoid delay in transporting the goods to the port. The Minister announced that the first phase of the Golden Quadrilateral project connecting the four metros - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, costing over Rs 25,000 crore, will be completed one year ahead of schedule by 2003. The Centre was also keen to connect villages to national highways under the Gram Sadak Yojana. The project envisages an allocation of Rs 2,500 crore to State governments each year for upgradation of State highways and rural roads, he said. To connect villages with State highways, Rs 1,000 crore would be provided to the State governments each year by the Centre, he said. Villages having a population of 1000 to 2000 would be linked with highways by 2003 and villages with a population of 500 to 1000 would be connected with highways by 2007, Khanduri said. In the next two to three years there would be a quantum jump in the quality of roads, he said. Presiding over the function, M K Muneer, Public Works Minister, said the State Government, for the first time, was fully utilising the funds allocated for the roads development. He also thanked the Centre for providing all assistance for the roads development of the State. O Rajagopal, Union Minister of State for Railways, pointed out that the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre has been granting all assistance to the State in its development activities. Prof K V Thomas, Minister for Tourism and Fisheries, George Eden, MP, K Mohammedali and K Babu, MLAs also spoke. Babu Jacob, Principal Secretary, Kerala Public Works Department welcomed the gathering and M K Mukundankutty, project director, NH, proposed the vote of thanks.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Kerala's 'Rex Band' to perform before Pope
KOCHI: A Kerala-based music band, named 'Rex Band', has got the rare opportunity of performing before an estimated one million audience, to be addressed by Pope John Paul-II at Toronto in Canada, in connection with the World Youth Day celebrations. It had now become the first music team in the country and the second in Asia, after a Philippines team, to earn the honour to perform before a world Christian audience, Catholic Youth Movement National Coordinator and a senior band member Raiju Varghese, told newspersons here on Saturday. The 25-member team would perform in five major American cities from June 28 onwards and later reach Canada on July 18 to take part in the celebrations, he added. Set up in 1989, the 'Rex Band', a wing of the Catholic Youth Movement, had released 11 albums.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Viagra used to save life of new-born kids
KOCHI: In a major medical breakthrough, Viagra, currently used to treat erectile dysfunction, has been successfully used to save the lives of two new-born babies at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre (AIMS), here. After all methods to improve the blood levels of oxygen to acceptable levels failed, the team of doctors headed by Dr P K Rajiv, Head, Department of Newborn Intensive Care, AIMS, decided to use small doses of Viagra, also known by the name `Sildenafil Citrate', along with nitric oxide to treat the babies. Addressing a Press conference here along with A P S Krishnan, vice-president, AIMS, Dr Rajiv said there have been similar usage of viagra, coincidentally at the same time in Canada, as an alternative to nitric oxide to treat pulmonary hypertension, which results in extreme narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the lung causing severe breathing difficulty. The babies showed a remarkable improvement after giving 0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg viagra dozage on them every eight hours. ``They could leave the hospital in five days,'' Dr Rajiv said adding that the viagra had helped in improving the blood levels of oxygen. In the first case, a new-born baby girl Sunitha from Mavelikkara was brought to AIMS with severe breathing difficulties due to pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension. As is the practice, the baby was put on conventional ventilation, which did not bring up the blood level of oxygen to a viable range compatible with life. By midnight, the baby was put on high frequency ventilation, which also did not improve the level of oxygenation significantly. Dr Rajiv said the baby showed signs of severe respiratory failure and nitric oxide was infused through the ventilator. However, this also did not produce the desired results. Finally, using the information received through the internet that Viagra had been successfully tried in the West on adults, the AIMS doctor gave the child small dosage of viagra, which produced dramatic results and the baby was discharged from the hospitals after five days of treatment. In the second case, another baby girl Dhanya was cured of a severe pulmonary hypertension with Viagra alone, as against the first case where nitric oxide was also given. In this case, the baby was also administered small doses of Viagra orally along with nitric oxide. ``However, the nitric oxide therapy had to be stopped due to equipment problem. Two to three doses of Viagra were given to the baby and her condition improved,'' Dr Rajiv explained adding that this showed that the discontinuation of nitric oxide did not lead to any deterioration in the baby's oxygenation.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
'UDF hand' in re-encroachment
The tribal leader, C.K. Janu, has alleged that the re-encroachment at Mathikettan Shola after the eviction carried out there a couple of weeks ago, was with the connivance of the top leadership of the UDF and its Government. Addressing a press conference here today, Ms. Janu alleged that the Government was protecting those who had re-encroached the land, notwithstanding its loud proclamations to evict all encroachers. After the earlier eviction at Mathikettan, the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, who holds the Home portfolio, had deliberately weakened the police strength there. She alleged that the Forest Minister, K. Sudhakaran, had withdrawn the Rapid Action Force so as to ensure that the encroachers led by the Kerala Congress(J) leader, P.J. Joseph, were able to occupy the land. The Joseph group and some of the UDF partners had already entered into an understanding to protect the encroachers at the shola. The re-encroachment of the land by the Joseph group supporters was done with the active connivance of the UDF convener, Oommen Chandy, she alleged. Many areas in the shoal were being used by vested interests for ganja plantation, and the presence of tribals there would have been a hindrance to them. The Tribal Mission of the State Government had identified nearly 2,250 acres of land for rehabilitation of tribals as per an agreement reached between her (Ms. Janu) and the Chief Minister in October last. The strategy was to get the Mathikettan forest area exempted from the land identified for tribal rehabilitation and this was achieved by bringing back the forest encroachers and letting them occupy the land there, she said. Ms. Janu refuted the contention of Mr. Joseph that most of the encroachers at Mathikettan were small-scale farmers. She said people who have 300 to 400 acres of land have occupied much of the land. The Adivasi-Dalit Action Council had published a list of major landholders there. Even the Government-appointed inquiry committee had found that most of the title deeds were fraudulent, and that many Revenue-Forest officials had a role in the systematic encroachment. She said the `Tribal Court' to be held in Wayanad On August 24 will draw the next phase of agitation to ensure distribution of land to tribals. If the Government fails to distribute adequate land by October 16, when it would be one year after signing of the pact, the tribals will start an agitation in front of the residence of the Chief Minister.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Panel to look into telecast
The Lok Sabha Speaker, Manohar Joshi, has referred to a committee of presiding officers of legislative bodies the points raised by the Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Vakkom Purushothaman, regarding telecasting of the proceedings of the House. Mr. Joshi told the 65th conference of presiding officers which concluded today that Mr. Purushothaman had raised certain issues and problems related to telecasting. He was referring them to the committee headed by the Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Pratibha Bharathi. The conference discussed the topic ``The Role of Legislatures in Strengthening Accountability of the Executive and the need for Independent Secretariats for Legislatures.'' Several participants stressed the need for making the executive more accountable to the legislature. ``Controlling the executive and enforcing executive accountability are the fundamental functions of the legislatures. The Constitution lays down the principle very clearly.'' The presiding officers were also for providing sufficient opportunities to the members to raise matters of public importance, especially issues of development on the floor of the House.
Thursday, June 20, 2002
Actor Varghese passes away
Malayalam cinema's well-known actor Varghese, who donned the grease paint for over 100 films, passed away at Aluva near here on Wednesday after a massive heart attack. N F Varghese, the actor who made his powerful presence felt on the silver screen, died at Aluva on wednesday following a cardiac arrest. There was an element of drama even in his death. Varghese felt a pain in his chest at around 12 noon. He was busy doing a bit of farming in his Uliyannoor residence and chose to drive himself to the hospital along with his wife after he failed to get another vehicle. He fell unconscious after driving for a while and the car hit a compound wall. He was rushed to the Karothukuzhi hospital in an autorickshaw at around 12.45 pm where the doctors tried to revive him. All their efforts proved futile. There was neither pulse beat nor pressure when he was brought in, doctors said. N F Varghese was 52 and leaves his wife Rosy, three daughters Sophy, Sumitha and Saila and a son Sony. Sophy who got married a month ago is currently in the United States. Incidentally, his brother Sebastian died a month ago on May 19. Varghese has acted in nearly 100 films. He proved his mettle as an actor through the play ‘‘Vaiki vanna Rajarshi’’ of Aluva Theatres in the early 1980s. Mimicry solo shows and his association with Kalabhavan where he co-authored ‘‘Mimics Parade’’ with Siddique-Lal catapulted him into fame. The serial ‘‘Mikhayelinte Santhathikal’’ which was made into a film and later ‘‘Puthran’’, gave Varghese the much-needed break. His characters in films ‘‘Akashadooth’’ and ‘‘Pathram’’ had earned him rave reviews. ‘‘Sundarapurushan’’ was his 100th film. Varghese had also acted in ‘‘Phantom’’ and ‘‘Onnaman’’. The movies are currently on show in the state. His body is being kept at the mortuary of Carmel Hospital in Aluva. The funeral will be held at Mariyapuram Church, Thayikkattukara at 3 pm on Friday after the arrival of his daughter from the US. His body will be kept for public homage at Aluva Town Hall from 12 pm on Friday.
Thursday, June 20, 2002
Antony sees red over 'black' journalists, boycotts press conference
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an unprecedented move, the normally unflappable Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony Wednesday boycotted a press conference when confronted by journalists wearing black badges and black hoods. Immediately after the weekly cabinet meeting ended at 12.40 p.m., Antony walked into the conference room for his customary briefing and was taken aback at seeing the protesting journalists. Folding his hands, he told them that there would be no briefing. Journalists here have been on the warpath ever since assembly Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman laid down new rules for television channels for covering question hour in the house. During the past two days, journalists have marched to the residences of Antony and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.M. Hassan to register their protest over the new rules, which lay down that TV cameras are to immediately focus on the speaker in case there is pandemonium during question hour. The speaker said this had been done to maintain the decorum of the house. Since the assembly session began on June 12, Doordarshan has been the only TV channel covering question hour with the others staying away in protest. Under the new rules, TV crews have to leave the assembly premises immediately after question hour ends. Previously they were permitted to cover the entire proceedings of the house. Emerging from the conference room, journalists expressed their strong resentment against Antony calling off the briefing. "This is ridiculous. Is Antony so intolerant about black badges?" many of them wondered. "This is the very same person who as opposition leader in January 2001 had addressed the employees of the state secretariat after they were beaten up by the police," Bobby Nair of the NDTV channel told . Journalists also recalled that Antony had addressed a press conference in February at which they had worn black badges. They were protesting against being kept out of the venue where Antony was holding talks with trade unions in a bid to avert a strike. Senior journalist and former resident editor of The Indian Express and Financial Express K. Govindan Kutty said there was nothing surprising about Antony's behaviour. "He is like that," Kutty commented. He contended that the speaker did not have the right to place restrictions on the media. "It is for the government to react on this and they are not doing what they should be doing." Kutty felt.
Thursday, June 20, 2002
Change in exam system at high school level in the offing
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Education Department is thinking of introducing changes in the examination system at the high school level after the decision to bring in the grading system for SSLC examinations from March 2003, Education Minister Nalakath Soopy informed the Assembly on Tuesday. Replying to questions, the Minister said that the grading system had been made mandatory in the 10th and 12th standard of CBSE and ICSE schools. It was left to the respective college principals to decide whether they want to introduce the system in other classes. The Government would like to bring in a similar system at the high school level in schools, he added. The curriculum committee had recommended the introduction of the grading system at the high school level in a phased manner, Soopy said. Once the system is brought in, the practice of giving moderation marks in the SSLC exams will be stopped, he added. COMPENSATION: PWD Minister M K Muneer informed the Assembly that the Government would ensure that the private parties concerned pay compensation to the families of those who die in accidents caused by digging of roads for laying optical fibre cable (OFC) by various private companies. Replying to questions on the problems caused to the general public due to the digging up of the roads for laying OFC, the Minister said that three persons, two in Kottayam and one in Kozhikode, had died in accidents caused due to such digging up of roads. In the Kuravilangadu incident, the police had registered a case against the lorry driver for rash driving. However, since the digging of the road may have contributed to the accident, talks would be held with the BSNL to ensure that the families of the victims are given compensation, he added. The Minister assured that the digging of roads would be strictly monitored. The Government, as per a Government order issued by the IT Department, had given permission to various companies like Asianet, BPL and Escotel for laying OFC which would vastly improve the communication system in the State, the Minister said. REST HOUSES ON LEASE: The PWD proposes to give nine of its Rest Houses on lease to private parties, the PWD Minister told the Assembly on Tuesday. The Rest Houses that are to be leased out are those in Munnar, Thrissur, Aluva, Vaikom, Feroke, Kottakkal, Kallisseri, Ponmudi and Sulthan Bathery. The lease is for a maximum of 30 years.
Thursday, June 20, 2002
Jawan’s body brought home
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The body of Malayali soldier Rajeev K Nair (23) who was drowned during a swimming practice in a lake in Tripura on June 17 was brought home on Wednesday. State police offered tributes to the body at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Later, the body was taken to his native ‘Plavila’ near Neyyattinkara with the escort of many vehicles and kept at Plavila UP school for public to pay tributes. The funeral took place at his homestead in Plavila in the afternoon.
Thursday, June 20, 2002
Amateur Little Cinema awards
KOZHIKODE: Suresh Aikkara and Anil G S have been selected for the screen play award instituted by the Amateur Little Cinema (ALA). The jury committee consisting of Sathrughnan, P R Nathan and K P Sunil selected ‘Dwaitham’ and ‘Kazhcha’, written by Suresh and Anil respectively. Both will share the award money, said the Ala office-bearers at a press conference here on Wednesday. Cultural Affairs Minister G Karthikeyan will distribute the award in the end of July at Kozhikode. A Seminar on the future of cinema will also be held on the occasion.
Thursday, June 20, 2002
NF Varghese placed art above self
KOCHI: The death of thespian N F Varghese will add to the vacuum of talent the crisis-ridden film industry in the State is struggling to cope with. He would also be remembered as one among the rare breed of actors who placed cinema and art above self. "The writer creates the character, the actor merely enhances him and lends him cinematic dimensions. The script and the craft alone is the essence of good cinema," N F Varghese once said in an interview. "He was one actor whom the film industry in the State could never tap. His performance on screen was incredible. But the industry could not utilise even an iota of his talents", rues director Joshi who was in Karothukuzhi Hospital to have a last look at his friend. Known for his voice and performances, N F Varghese had very humble beginnings. Born the son of a carpenter in utter poverty in Uliyannoor village by the Periyar, N F began his struggle with life at a very early age. He played his part well amidst the ravages of deprivation as a shop boy in a cloth store and as a brickworker. In college he worked by night to earn his fees. Though he secured a BCom, there was no escape from the struggles of life. After he landed a job as an accountant in a scrap shop, he went on to secure a diploma in business management which saw him rise in the executive hierarchy, the echleons he later quit to join professional theatre. The reason: He wanted to devote himself to art. "I wanted to `act' not for the sake of it but out of love for it," N F had said. He began to do plays and wrote one for Adoor Jaya Theatres called ``Bhramam'', which was later directed by Thilakan. By then he had joined the Aluva-based Maithri Theatres. The period also saw N F involving himself with theatre groups and solo mimicry shows until he joined Kalabhavan where along with Siddique-Lal he co-authored `Mimics-parade'. He combined busy executive work by day and then went in for late-night recording and story sessions at Kalabhavan. N F later broke off from Kalabhavan but began lending his voice to ad jingles on radio and television and landed roles in two popular TV serials ``Dr Harishchandra'' and ``Michaelinte Santhathikal''. It was around 1992-93 that N F decided to quit his executive post in Cochin Shipyard and devote himself to cinema. N F began his film career as late as in 1991 and got the first noteworthy break with ``Akashaduth'' as the villainous Kesavan. Since then there was no looking back. After a series of fairly notable characterisations in ``Sammanam'', ``Ee Puzhayum Kadannu'', ``Sphadikam'', ``Lelam'' and ``Pradikshanam'', ``Pathram'' broke the mould for N F. Says K S Prasad of Kalabhavan, a long term associate: "N F was an actor who was very frank, caring little for the consequences. He was a very good comedian when he worked in Kalabhavan, a side which many are unaware of." "I never had a chance to give him a role in my film, though I wanted to. He was my friend for long...it's beyond words", said director Jayaraj. Film directors K G George, actors Lal and Dileep, script writer Lohithadas and Horticulture Director K R Viswambharan where among the friends who arrived to pay their last respects to the departed actor. The Kerala Film Producers Association, Film Chamber of Commerce and Kalabhavan have also condoled the death of N F Varghese.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Dance is my life: Shobana
For those wondering whatever happened to the svelte Shobana and why is she not seen so often in Malayalam movies, the answer is that the actress is now focussing her energies on dancing and teaching. Though she has not given up films entirely, the fact is that she is now travelling all around the world, propagating dance. A quick chat with the actress on her plans. Q: What have you been doing of late? Ans: I have just returned from the Leh-Ladakh region after a dance performance there. Q: Dance in Leh-Ladakh? Ans: Well, it was all part of Sindhu Darshan that Central government organises every year in those parts. This year there were a lot of dance performances. I was selected to give a dance recital in Bharathnatyam. Q: How was the feeling of having to perform in the border area? Ans: The situation was obviously tense. Though it was close only to the Indo-Sino border, the fear of war was always there. Dancing with security all around was a thrilling experience. The weather was also not kind. The temperatures were in the region of -4 degrees. Q: Now that you are busy with dance, have you given up on films? Ans: Dance is part of me. It is like breathing. It is my life. Cinema is something that happened in between. I am more selective about my films now. Q: You are also into teaching dance... Ans: I am a very serious teacher. I want 100 per cent dedication from my students. I have sent back even my relative's daughter for lack of sincerity. I am also into choreographing dance shows. Recently, I did a show for Kalarpana along with stalwarts like Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayakram, U Srinivas. It was fabulous. I guess that was my best performance ever. The musicians gave off their best. Q: What about the TV show you are hosting? Ans: Frankly, I don't have much time for TV. But the programme producer Radhika Surjeet convinced me and made me do the show (a dance programme in a Tamil TV channel). It is a talent-spotting show, which also lays stress on general knowledge. Q: What about marriage? Ans: I have not decided on that yet. I am not saying that I will never get married. But not now. Age is still on my side. Q: Current plans? Ans: I am in discussions for producing a film. It is a subject connected to me and one close to my heart.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Inderjit: Climbing the ladder fast
It is not everyday that an actor who makes his debut as a villain gets to be written about as much as a hero or heroine. But Inderjit, who cut such a fine impression in Oomappenninu Uriyaadappayyan, has achieved that distinction. And it is not entirely due to the fact that he is late Sukumaran's son or the brother of wannabe-star Prithviraj. Inderjit, who began his career as a television artiste, has made critics and fans stand and take notice of him through his acting ability. "I want to be known on my own," says Inderjit. It is not as if he resents his father's fame, it is just that he wants to chart his own destiny. "I am also very careful that I don't ape my father's style. But I can't help if people see my father in me," he smiles. After Oomappenninu..., Inderjit has done Meesha Madhavan. "It is also a villain role. But both are a stark contrast. Eppan in Meesha Madhavan is a consummate villain, while Shaam in Oomappenninu Uriyaadappayyan is a robust character," he points out. "For me", he says, "acting is not in the tags of hero or in villain. It is in the characters you play. It is in the scope of the role you do". But after these two films, Inderjit has been stamped as the villain of the future on Malayalam screen. Having said that he is also doing a few character roles including Vinayan's new movie Kattuchembakkam. "I am always indebted to Vinayan sir. He was the one who gave me the break in cinema. It is nice to work with him again. It makes me confident that he is placing his faith in me again," he adds. Inderjit is not unduly worried about his younger sibling Prithviraj, who is making his debut as a hero, stealing the thunder from him. "There is no sibling rivarly here. He is his own man, I am mine. But we are pretty attached." Interestingly, the duo is being paired, not as brothers, in a movie named Nammal Thammil. "It is an interesting venture," Inderjith says succinctly. "I don't like to talk about my movies. Rather, my movies should talk about me," he says shraply.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Snehitan
Snehitan, directed by Jose Thomas has a pair of young artists in it. Kunchako Boban, Krishna (A cousin of actress Sobhana) Preethi Vijayakumar and Nandana are the main actors. While Preethi is from Tamil, Nandana is a Keralite from Calicut. Kunchako Boban is emerging out from an eclipse. His campus chocolate image did not last long and a couple of new characters later neither did him well. But Since Dileep became unavailable to the moderate set of directors Kunchako became the next choice. The entire shooting was in Guruvayoor and Kunnamkulam locales. Kunchako has two heroines in Snehitan. He plays the role of a professional photographer named Joji. Joji an energetic adventurous youth attracted Anu Ann Mary and they shared the wildest dreams others never had. Suddenly all went got upside down. It was when Joji went to take pictures of a register marriage that it all happened. Bride Malavika was the friend of his sister. He knew her from childhood. She was now in a situation where she could not turn back. The bridegroom Anand does not turn up. Joji had to help his sister's friend. Joji consoles her and takes her back home but introduces himself as Anand to her parents! Joji comes to know that Anand was barred from marrying Malavika by his parents. They have already settled his marriage. Joji found out that the girl Anand is going to marry is none other than Anu Ann Mary! The story and script are by Udaykrishnan and Sibi K Thomas. An important scene was picturised in the government guesthouse near Guruvayoor. Joji and Malavika are go round the town in search of Anand who had not turned up for the marriage at the registrar office. Malavika did not want to go to her house. They decided to stay in a hotel. A Police raid in the hotel made things worse. They were taken to the police station and interrogated. This scene had a lot of comic relief for the police inspector himself is a lighthearted person played by comedian Cochin Haneef. Joji declared that they were husband and wife to escape any action by the police. Jose Thomas is trying to bring out every bit of dramatic elements in the script. It is a rare story of intimacy between those who are not bound by love. An old associate director of Sibi Malayil, Jose Thomas had directed a few films, which were moderate success. Sundarapurushan was his recent film. Kunchako Boban plays the role of Joji and Krishna takes up the role of Anand. Nandana the new girl is cast as Malavika and Preetha Vijayakumar plays Ann Mary. Innocent, N F Vargheese, Indrans, Premkumar, Sreehari, Sukumari, Valsala Menon are the other main actors in this film produced by actor producer JP.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Another 3-D film to hit the screen soon
Eighteen years after India's first 3-D film My Dear Kuttichathan was made, another multi-crore 3-D film The little Magician, is getting ready with its shooting expected to be completed in a week's time. The film, being made under the Navodaya banner, has been shot mainly in New York and has well-known singer and actor, S P Balasubramanian, Suraj Balaji, a child star and Trilok Malik in the cast, besides a host of foreign actors, Navodaya Appachan, the film's producer, told reporters on the sets of the film. The set here itself has been artistically converted into an American street complete with a restaurant. About 200 men laboured for two months to give it an authentic touch, he said. The main attraction of the film is a group of 40 specially trained dogs from Hollywood, who have already stolen the hearts of the film crew with their pranks, Appachan said. The film would be dubbed in four languages Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu, he said. There were also plans to bring out a CD for television viewers, he said adding specially-made spectacles would have to be worn by the spectators for viewing the film in the theatre or on TV to get the 3-D effect.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Revathy takes up old age roles
It is almost twenty years since Revathy took up to acting. She was known as Manvasanai girl in Tamil. It was her first film. Her second film Kattathe Kilikkodu established her in Malayalam. She earned critics opinion in Kakkothikkavile Appoopppan Thadikal. She made people laugh in Kilukkam. Her performance was unparalleled in Devasuram. She recently played a role of mother to Mohanlal! In Ravanaprabhu. Like Suhasini, Revathy has no complex image. In fact she has started accepting old age roles on her own will. And she has enough roles also. She does not demand her role be that of the leading lady, young and beautiful. Revathy is more realistic than the male super stars. She says that she can become the leading lady if the character is of her age and looks. But no more romantic roles. She has completed two films recently. Nandanam by Ranjith and Gramaphone by Kamal. In Gramophone she has played the role of an old Jew woman of Cochin, Sara. A role of a lifetime. Sara shuts up herself in an old colonial house she gets out to the streets where once she breathed the fresh and free air of youth and love. A cool gush of memories. The role itself lends a lot of emotional moments to express and Revathy had exploited them in the film. She is presently doing a role in Kaiyethum Doorathu by Fazil. Her first directorial venture Mitr a bilingual and all women crew film gave her immense satisfaction. She is planning a second feature film now. She said she had read a couple of scripts and will shortly decide the one to shoot. "This will be a commercial one'. The reason 'There should be a change always"
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Mohanlal in One more Shaji Kailas film
Mohanlal who is presently acting in Tandavam directed by Shaji Kailas is appearing in one more film by him. The film is named Vyagram (Tiger). The script is by Ranji Panikar. Mohanlal presents a character named Planter Kuruvachan.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Yuktha Mukhey in Malayalam
Yukhta Mukhey is selected to play the lead role in a project by R Sarath who had won an award for his first feature film Sayanham. A committed filmmaker Sarath is handling a unique subject in his second film. It is the politics of water. Water is always a subject of war. He wants to show India in this backdrop of water politics. His first film was on politics of nuclear weapons. Miss world Yuktha Mukhey acts as a contestant and winner in the miss world competition in this film.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Bangaru under Ayurvedic treatment
Former BJP President Bangaru Laxman has been admitted at the Panchakarma Ayurvedic Institute in Thiruvananthapuram for treatment for arthritis on joints. " He will be undergoing a two-week course of treatment mainly comprising dry powder massage. He has pain and swelling in the joints of limbs," the hospital superintendent Dr M K Sasidharan told. State Health Minister P Sankaran and BJP state leaders visited Laxmanan at the hospital. A premier government Ayurvedic treatment and research centre, the hospital had treated national leaders like CPI-M general secretary H K Surjeet, RSP leader Tridip Choudhury and the late E M S Namboodiripad in the past, hospital sources said.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Jeweller robbed of huge cash and gold
A jewellery owner was deprived of Rs 400,000 in cash and gold weighing 350 grammes by a four member gang at Lourdpuram in East Fort in Thrissur on Tuesday, police said. The victim, K Davis, who was returning home on his scooter, after selling his ornaments at Chennai, was allegedly stopped by the gang which was following him in a car and snatched his belongings. The town police have registered a case in this connection.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Naval ship evacuates sick man from high seas
Playing the good samaritan's role, Indian Navy helped in evacuating a 20-year-old sick crew member of a Panamian registered vessel M V Emerald Sky off the lakshadweep islands on Monday night and brought him to kochi on Tuesday. The crew, Gaurav Vij, an engineering cadet from lucknow, had complained of severe chest pain and collapsed at the ship's engine room, following which the vessel contacted the navy for assitance. The Southern Naval command diverted INS Krishna, which was on a routine patrol to proceed to the spot and render assistance in evacuating the patient. A doctor adminstered first aid and transferred him to INS Krishna by a boat despite the rough sea, a naval release said. The patient was kept under medical observation during the night and handed over to the company's agents after the ship reached kochi. Gaurav has been admitted to the private medical trust hospital and there was no cause for any concern with regard to his condition, hospital sources said. The vessel was on its way to Egypt from Singapore.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Bomb attack on CI: police conduct raids
Police were conducting extensive raids in and around Panur area near Kannur where a circle inspector was seriously injured in a bomb attack by suspected CPI (M) activists on Monday night. According to police, 10 persons had been taken into custody so far in connection with the bomb attack and search operations were continuing on suspected hideouts to nab the culprits responsible for the incident. Panur CI, Abdul Hameed, suffered serious injuries when suspected CPI (M) workers hurled country bombs at him when he was chasing a mob at Palakool on Monday night, the sources said, adding Hameed was recovering in the hospital. Additional police force had been rushed to the spot to maintain a strict vigil, they said. Meanwhile, the CPI (M) in Kannur had denied any involvement in the attack and blamed the BJP for the incident.
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Book on tycoon Rajan Pillai released
"Pazhayipoya Maranam", the malayalam translation of 'A Wasted Death' on business tycoon Rajan Pillai, was released by George Eden, MP, at a function held at the Press Club in Kochi. The english book co-authored by Rajan Pillai's brother Rajmohan Pillai and Journalist K Govindankutty, was translated into malayalam by Rajan Thuvara and published by the Aluva based PEN Books.
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
15 Crore assistance from Centre for fishermen
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Fisheries Minister K V Thomas on Monday told the state assembly that the government was preparing a plan to help fishermen who were in distress after taking loans for house constructions from various agencies, by including them in a centrally aided scheme of Rs 15 crores. Answering a calling attention in the matter,Thomas said the centre has sanctioned Rs.15 crores for providing sanitation facility and for rehabilitation work for fishermen. The government has taken a very lenient attitude towards the fishermen who had defaulted in the payment of house loan instalments, he said adding hat government would not initiate any revenue recovery proceedings taking into consideration the prevailing condition of fishermen. Steps were also under way to start 100 per cent subsidised housing scheme for fishermen in which Rs 40,000 would be paid by the government, he added.
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
Over 70 workers hospitalised after inhaling gas fumes
KOLLAM: About 70 women workers of a private cashew factory near Anchal in this district were admitted to hospital on Monday after complaints of giddiness and vomiting, following inhalation of poisonous gas from a fungicide sprayed in the premises. Police said 72 workers of the Uma cashew factory, were taken to three private hospitals here. As their condition was not serious, they were likely to be discharged this evening, according to hospital sources. Police said some fungicide was sprayed inside the factory-shed on June 15 before it was closed. It was re-opened on Monday.
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
CPM show of strength against police ‘excesses’
KANNUR: Backed by a massive show of strength against police excesses, the CPM today called for an end to the ‘Emergency-model functioning’ of the police in the district. Hundreds of CPM workers took out a march to the office of the District Superintendent of Police, in the wake of the alleged torture of CPM workers and foisting of false cases against them, following the murder of an RSS activist Uthaman at Keezhur recently. The march, which was held in an atmosphere charged with much excitement and speculations of a possible show of physical force by CPM activists, turned out to be a smooth affair, barring a minor incident in which some overzealous partymen hurled a couple of chappals and stones at the police. Two policemen suffered minor injuries in the stone-throwing, but the cops remained unprovoked. Inaugurating the march, which was blocked by a posse of heavily armed policemen including senior officials at the Police Club premises on the main road near the Civil Station, CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan cautioned the police against pursuing repressive measures to stop the democratic functioning of his party. The CPM secretary singled out District Superintendent of Police Manoj Abraham for his attacks, holding him personally responsible for the arrests and torture of innocent party workers and office-bearers of various local and area committees of the party. "The police should follow the rules, and should do the job assigned to them," Pinarayi said pointing out that his party had never resorted to using physical force against the police. He said some of the police officials were still in the grip of the ‘ghost of Emergency’. Claiming that the CPM had survived many a repressive action of the state and the police in the past, the CPM leader said that his party could never be browbeaten by the power of police or weapons. Citing several incidents of attacks on police officials by the RSS in the district, Pinarayi accused the policemen of working as stooges of the latter. CPM district secretary M V Govindan, MLA, welcomed the participants of the march. The march which began from the Stadium corner was led by CPM legislators M V Jayarajan, P Jayarajan, and T K Balan, A P Abdullakutty M P, James Mathew, K K Shailaja, P Sasi, K P Sahadevan, P V Ravindranath and M Prakasan.
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
TV camera boycott of Assembly continues
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Barring India's national broadcaster Doordarshan, 11 TV channels boycotted the Kerala assembly for the fourth day Monday to protest new government guidelines for them. Print journalists continued their reporting and the Doordarshan crew arrived at the assembly under police protection, but TV scribes were conspicuous by their absence. Several journalists on Monday took to the streets to express their anger at what they called the high handedness of the Kerala government and the speaker. TV channels are allowed entry into the assembly only for Question Hour. But Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman last month issued 24 guidelines of coverage for them, saying that was the practice in the Lok Sabha as well. The rules have been strongly opposed by journalists. As per the new guidelines, TV cameras should focus on the speaker if there is a commotion in the floor of the house. The speaker said this would bestow decorum on the proceedings. Hitherto all TV channels were free to show any kind of image from the assembly. According to other restrictions, the TV camera crew is supposed to leave the premises of the assembly soon after the Question Hour. While the previous Left Democratic Front was in power, cameras were allowed to remain inside assembly premises and also cover walkouts. Protesting the move, members of the Kerala Journalist Union (KJU) laid siege at the residence of state Parliamentary Affairs Minister M M Hassan here. After staging a one-hour protest, they dispersed when the minister took a different route to the state assembly. Addressing the protest, KJU president Roy Mathew blamed the Kerala Government for not taking up the issue with the speaker. "We have a parliamentary affairs minister for the first time in the state, but apart from holding one meeting with the speaker he has not taken up the issue. We will continue our strike until the guidelines are withdrawn," he said. The Kerala Union of Working Journalist on Monday held a signature campaign near the Secretariat where hundreds of common people expressed solidarity with the journalists. A shot in the arm for the journalists came from a statement of former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangama at Kochi Sunday evening who said the new guidelines in the Kerala Assembly were against the spirit of transparency. Reports indicate that the journalist unions will continue the boycott till Tuesday. With the speaker scheduled to attend a Speakers' conference in Delhi from June 20-24, he might be forced to withdraw the guidelines.
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
RSS activist hurt in bomb attack
THALASSERY: RSS activist Kaka Shaji alias Mottammel Shaji was injured in a bomb attack at Kutteri under the Panur police station limits on Monday. Shaji, 23, who is an accused in as many as 22 criminal cases relating to political violence, came under attack near the Vajrakadu temple at Kutteri at around 11 am. He has been admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The BJP-RSS retaliated within a few hours by attacking CPM activist Kavil Bhaskaran, 46, who has been admitted to the Co-operative Hospital, Thalassery , with serious stab injuries.
Monday, June 17, 2002
S Krishnakumar to re-enter active politics
Former Union Minister and Congress leader S Krishnakumar, who had been keeping a low profile for the last six years following his arrest and investigation by the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate into certain alleged FERA violations, has said that he stands fully exonerated of all charges by the two departments and was on the threshold of re-entering active politics. He told newsmen here that he and his family had been subjected to severe persecution on the basis of certain baseless charges and conjectures. However, the two departments had now given their verdict that neither he nor his family had committed any offence that could form the basis of a complaint to any court of law, he said. Krishnakumar said officials of the Income Tax department had raided his house in 1996 and then carried out what amounted to character assassination through the media. The IT Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi, in its verdict in February this year, had said that the IT case against him was unjustified. The Enforcement Directorate, on its part, had, after a detailed investigation, dropped the idea of prosecution against him as there was no substance to the charges. After FERA ceased to exist on May 31 last and FEMA came into being, the allegations that had been raised against him were not at all a criminal offence in the eye of the law. What had infact happened was a political conspiracy, in which a couple of officials took part, to persecute him and isolate him in the party. It was regrettable that a provision like arrest was resorted to against him and his wife, Usha Krishnakumar, by these officials after raising a smokescreen of suspicion against him, he said. Asked to specify who were behind the political conspiracy, Krishnakumar did not elaborate, but said he suspected the involvement of a Delhi politician who previously represented the constituency in which his wife had contested in the Delhi Assembly elections. He said that as an IAS officer who had served the Kerala Government for 17 years and as Central Minister for nine years, the |
